REAL ale fans will be raising a glass at the announcement the Chappel Winter Beer Festival is back for 2022.

The annual festival has been given the go-ahead to run this year at the East Anglian Railway Museum.

The popular event has become a staple for ale lovers, with hundreds attending each year.

The festival was launched 11 years ago, but was cancelled last year because of the pandemic.

It is dubbed the “younger sister’ of the main Chappel Beer Festival in September, which has been running for almost four decades.

The event is co-hosted by the East Anglian Railway Museum and the Campaign for Real Ale.

There will be about 60 beers and a range of ciders and perries at the winter event, along with food.

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Event organiser Brendan Sothcott said: “This is a very popular event for us and has been for years.

“People really enjoy the atmosphere and the late train and bus services are a big bonus for people staying late and obviously drinking.”

However, some Covid-based restrictions are still in place for the event, with planning beginning before some restrictions were lifted, and in place in the event of their return.

Restrictions include a no ticket-no entry policy, as well as tickets being of a limited number.

Mr Sothcott added: “This year we have decided to add a third day, on Thursday, to allow for the same number of people spread over more days to reduce numbers.

“We are doing well for ticket sales, with the extra day almost sold out too.”

The three-day event is from Thursday, March 3, to Saturday, March 5.

Each day tickets will be sold in two batches, with the first valid for entry from 11am to 5.30pm and the second batch from 5.30pm to 11pm.

If a ticket is bought on the earlier time slot, attendees will not be asked to leave.

As long as they enter before 5.30pm, those at the festival can stay there as long as they want.

Tickets are on sale now, but are limited and can be bought at chappelbeerfestival.org.uk/winter.